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Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850, 5 bills, solved problems about slavery in new states. The 5 bills are: Allow slavery but outlaw slave trade in Washington D.C. California is a free state. Verify Utah and New Mexico as areas that could allow slavery by popularity. Defined new limits for state of Texas after war, removing its parts of New Mexico giving the state $10 million. The F.S.A of 1850 required citizens to help in arrest runaway slaves and denied enslaved people trial by jury. (Not exact date) -
Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Originally published on May 20, 1852, Uncle Tom’s Cabin is a novel written by Harriet Beecher Stowe that exemplifies the cruelty of slavery; this gbook was meant to be anti-slavery. The book was exceptionally popular when it was published, which the Abolitionists applauded the novel while the South condemned the book. This book helped many people to somewhat understand the experiences of slaves and have sympathy for slaves, which is why it is credited for groundwork of the Civil War. -
Bleeding Kansas
Violence erupted when citizens of Kansas began to argue whether Kansas is a free state, or a slave state. This lasted from 1855 to 1861; this was very important because this event partially lead America to the Civil War. Kansas would turn out to be a free state, and joined the Union side during the Civil War on January 29, 1861. -
Election of 1860/1864
Abraham Lincoln was elected on November 6, 1860. This election was crucial for the success of America, due to the events to come. During his presidency, Abraham was able to lead the US into abolishing slavery, though dying because of the opposing side. Abraham Lincoln was also re-elected in the election of 1864, which allowed for the proper ending of the Civil War. -
Fort Sumter
On April 12, 1861, the first shots of the Civil War were shot at Fort Sumter. Confederate General P.G.T Beauregard fired against the Union, which caused a 34-hour exchange of artillery fire. Abraham eventually supplied the Union against the Confederate, though the Union were underprepared, so the Union surrendered on April 13, 1861. -
First Battle of Bull Run
At Manassas Junction, Virginia on July 21, 1861, the First Battle of Bull Run is the first major battle of the Civil War. The Confederates were able to gain control over the Union’s right flank and the Union retreated because of this break in their flank, causing the Union to realize that this would not be a war to be taken lightly. Even though the Confederate won this battle, they became too disordered to continue pressing against the opposing side. -
Battle of the Ironclads
On March 9, 1862, the Battle of the Ironclads was the first battle to introduce combat between ironclads; an ironclad is a steam powered warship that is covered with steel or iron armor plates. The U.S.S Monitor, on the Union side, and the C.S.S Virginia, on the Confederate side, shot at each other for hours, though no serious damage was inflicted. This battle inspired many battles to come because of its new ships, even though there was no declared winner of this battle. -
Shiloh
On April 6 - 7 of 1862, the Battle of Shiloh was a key battle because this battle would mark the beginning of an operation in Mississippi lead by Ulysses S. Grant. The Union won against the attack from the Confederates; the Confederates are believed to have launched a surprise attack against the Union. Overtaken by the Union, the Mississippi river was a crucial supply line and an outside trading route. -
Antietam
On September 17, 1862, the battle of Antietam, which is also referred to as the Battle of Sharpsburg, was fought. Abraham Lincoln suffered many defeats on the Union side, which caused him to postpone the establishment of the Emancipation Proclamation. The Union won the battle of Antietam, which allowed Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. -
Fredericksburg
The largest battle in the Civil War with nearly 200,000 combatants, Fredericksburg lasted from December 11 - 15, 1862. Ambrose Burnside, recently assigned the position of commander of the Army of Potomac, ordered for 120,000 soldiers to cross the Rappahannock River against Confederate Robert E. Lee’s 80,000 soldier army. Lee’s army gained control of Fredericksburg, which caused the Union to receive double the casualties the Confederates suffered. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was issued by Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, shortly after the Battle of Antietam. This stated that slaves would then be set free, the Emancipation Proclamation was a part of ending slavery; slavery did not completely abolished until January 31, 1865 when the 13 amendment was passed. At the beginning, the Emancipation only affected the South, but as time passed and the war began to end, the Emancipation Proclamation affected everyone. -
Chancellorsville
The Battle of Chancellorsville from April 30 - May 6 of 1863 was known for Robert E. Lee’s most tactical victory for the Confederate, and General Stonewall Jackson who was killed. Robert E. Lee had to face an army double the size of his own, but with his quick thinking, he split his army to attack the Union. The Union got nearly 5,000 more casualties than the Confederates. On May 2, 1863, Stonewall was Lee’s right-hand man, was shot due to a misidentification; Stonewall died 4 days later. -
Vicksburg
From May 18 - July 4 1863, in the 47 day Siege of Vicksburg, Ulysses S. Grant was able to capture Vicksburg with his army. Attempts to save Pemberton and his army failed many times because the Union overpowered the Confederates. Simultaneously the battle of Gettysburg also occurred at the same time, which contributed to the major turning point of the Civil War. -
Gettysburg
Considered the most crucial battle and the turning point of the Civil War, the Battle of Gettysburg took place from July 1 through 3, of 1863. The Union prevailed and won the the Battle of Gettysburg with 23,000 casualties, while the Confederates had 28,000 casualties. These major casualties caused Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s army to be too feeble to continue, so the Confederates escaped the battle. -
Chattanooga
Chattanooga included multiple battles from November 23 - 25, 1863. Chattanooga served as a crucial strategic point since it owned a Confederate railroad junction, which is why this victory for the Union was a significant one. The Union suffered around 5,800 casualties while the Confederates suffered 6,000; Grant lost the opportunity to continue attacking the Confederates, but Grant was able to gain control of Chattanooga. -
Battles of the Wilderness
From May 5 -7, 1864, the Battle of the Wilderness was the first step for the victory of the battle of Richmond. Ulysses S. The Confederates and the Union both were able to stand their ground, regardless of their large casualties. The Union Grant of the Union refused to retreat no matter what the outcome was, which the outcome was inconclusive. -
Petersburg
One of, or the longest, sieges in the Civil War, the siege of Petersburg took place from June 9, 1864 - April 2, 1865. Both Grant and Lee acknowledged that the fall of Petersburg would also cause the fall of the Confederate capital, Richmond, Virginia. As Grant opened heavy attacks from all sides against Lee, Lee fled Richmond, where then he would eventually surrender at the Appomattox courthouse. -
Savannah campaign
On November 15 - December 21, 1864, Union General William T. Sherman walked his 60,000 soldier army 285 miles from Atlanta, Georgia to Savannah, Georgia to turn Georgia away from Confederates; to scare Georgia citizens into the deserting the Confederacy cause. Sherman burned not the houses on the path, but the buildings, foods, livestock, and many more of the people who would try to fight back. Total war was used by Sherman and was very effective. -
Appomattox (not the battle)
General Robert E. Lee on the Confederate side, surrenders in the Appomattox courthouse as one of the major Confederate armies on April 9, 1865. Lee was mercilessly attacked against and was eventually trapped; Lee agreed to meet in the Appomattox courthouse. Lee’s surrender caused a chain of surrenders from the Confederate side, which lead to the victory of the Union. -
Lincoln Assassination
Only 5 days after Robert E. Lee’s surrender in the Appomattox courthouse, Abraham Lincoln was assassinated at the age of 56 by Confederate John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865 at Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C; Lincoln was pronounced dead on April 15. A little past 10pm, Booth went into Abraham Lincoln’s box at the theatre and shot Lincoln in the back of the head, shortly after shouting “Sic semper tyrannis”, which was Virginia’s state motto and meant “Thus ever to tyrants”.
